Previous Article
News
new CEP member: Christian Ghanem
In recent weeks, CEP has interviewed individual members and representatives of the new member organisations that joined CEP at the beginning of 2024. In these interviews, the new member organisations or individual members will share information on why they decided to become members, how they would like to contribute to the development of CEP and many more. Enjoy reading!
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Christian Ghanem and my first encounters with probation work occurred during my studies in Social Work. Through an internship in 2008, I had the opportunity to discover the potentials of this field of Social Work. After completing my studies, I worked as a probation officer in Munich, where I developed a passion for probation work. At that time, questions arose about how to reconcile scientific knowledge and social work practice as well as my professional identity with the realities of probation work in which paternalism and force play a crucial role. I pursued these questions in my PhD studies and they continue to accompany me to this day. Currently, I work as a professor at the Technical University of Nuremberg, focusing on topics related to criminal justice social work and criminology.
Why did you decide to join CEP?
For many years, I have been receiving the CEP newsletter, allowing me to follow the initiatives and achievements from a distance. In 2023, I was invited to give a lecture at the 10th CEP Directors Generals conference on German probation service, desistance, and the development of the Act on Ambulant Reintegration of Offenders. At this inspiring conference, I met wonderful and highly dedicated colleagues from practice and academia from all over Europe. I not only found the content to be very well-founded and beneficial but also appreciated the dynamic exchange across borders. As German probation is relatively closed with limited interaction with other countries, there is a strong need for such international networks like CEP to exchange knowledge and benefit from each other.
How would you like to contribute to the development of CEP, its projects, actions, and work programme, and what are your plans with CEP (Expert Groups that you would like to join or contribute to, topics or themes that you want to pay attention to, e.g., mental health, parole, etc)?
Destigmatizing convicted individuals is important to me, and creating spaces to amplify their voices. This includes advocating for the rights of convicted individuals and criminal justice social work on a political level to create conditions that not only enable desistance but also make human rights tangible in concrete life worlds. With these goals, I am willing to share my experiences and collaborate on projects across borders. Another priority in my life is my family and three lovely children. While my time resources are somewhat limited in this phase of my life, I would be eager to invest the remaining time to promote international dialogue and connect the realms of science and probation practice.
More specifically, I am generally interested in various themes within prison and probation research:
- Desistance processes of individuals
- Professionalism in probation
- Harm reduction strategies for substance users
- Parenthood and incarceration
- Elderly inmates
- Digital technologies in criminal justice
I am currently involved in research projects on some of these topics, and I am willing to contribute research findings to CEP in a suitable way.
Related News
Keep up to date with the latest developments, stories, and updates on probation from across Europe and beyond. Find relevant news and insights shaping the field today.
New
Communication and Awareness-Raising
Call to take part in the Yellow Ribbon Run in Prague
16/04/2026
As part of its ongoing cooperation and support for the Yellow Ribbon project, CEP is pleased to invite nominations to support two participants wishing to join the Yellow Ribbon Run, taking place on Thursday, 11 June 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic.
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Day 2 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, Indonesia.
16/04/2026
brought further reflection and exchange on the role of probation and community-based approaches in supporting rehabilitation and social inclusion.
CEP President Annie Devos and Vice-President Daniel Danglades continued their daily coverage on Division_Y, sharing key insights from discussions at the Congress.
A central theme highlighted during Day 2 was the importance of focusing on what works in practice, and how effective integration requires active participation in society. As discussed, professional probation practice is not only about systems and structures, but about placing the person at the centre, responding to individual needs, and recognising rehabilitation as a journey within the community.
CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades also reflected on the role of community-based approaches such as the Japanese Hogoshi system, underlining the value of strong volunteer engagement in supporting reintegration.
The World Congress on Community Volunteers, held as part of the World Congress on Probation and Parole in Bali, was also highlighted during the day, with the session moderated by CEP Vice-President Daniel Danglades. This further underlines CEP’s commitment to strengthening the role of community volunteers at an international level.
CEP continues to follow the Congress closely and will provide daily updates throughout the week until 17 April.
👉 Watch the English-language video here: https://youtu.be/VqfSwnvJQuw
👉 A German-language reflection from Day 2 by Laura Schneider (Bewährungs- und Gerichtshilfe Baden-Württemberg) is also available on the Referat_Y YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/GOSOogfHleo
More information about the Congress: https://www.wcpp2026.id/
Recap
Probation outside Europe
Day 1 of the 7th World Congress on Probation and Parole is underway in Bali, Indonesia
14/04/2026
Representing the Confederation of European Probation CEP, former board member Jo Tein, CEP President Annie Devos and Vice-President Daniel Danglades are on site, sharing insights and reflections from this global gathering of probation and parole professionals.
Recap
Mental Health
Recap: CEP Expert Group on Mental Health in Probation Meets
14/04/2026
On 8–9 April 2026, the Expert Group on Mental Health in Probation convened in Dublin, Ireland, hosted by the Irish Probation Service. The meeting brought together 7 expert members from 7 European jurisdictions, Portugal, Ireland, Türkiye, Germany, Poland, Northern Ireland, England and Spain (Catalonia), alongside distinguished external speakers from international and academic institutions.
Chaired by Ana Cristina Neves, Head of Service at the Directorate-General of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP), Portugal, the meeting provided a focused and collaborative space to reflect on the group’s progress, consolidate key outputs, and define strategic priorities for the upcoming 2026–2028 mandate.
New
Mental Health
Webinar Announcement: Mental Health in Probation
13/04/2026
We are pleased to invite you to an upcoming CEP webinar on 21st of May titled: “The European Mental Health Curriculum for Probation Officers”
New
CEP
CEP annual report
07/04/2026
The Confederation of European Probation (CEP) has published its Annual Report 2025, showcasing a year marked by growth, cooperation, and continued commitment to strengthening probation across Europe.
Bringing together more than 100 member organisations across 42 countries and 59 jurisdictions, CEP continued to serve as a central platform for knowledge exchange, professional development, and collaboration within the European criminal justice field.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.